This blog contains a series of movie segments to be used to brainstorm, warm up, follow up, and activate schemata, preparing the students for the topic that will be discussed in class. Here you will find the segments, the lesson plans, and varied topics to foster conversation. You may use the activities for a full two-hour class or they can be used separately to brainstorm or wrap up the topic, focusing on conversation, vocabulary and listening comprehension.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Despicable Me 2 is one rare case of a sequel that is as good as or even better than the first one. I love Gru, his contradictory personality, and the little girls, especially Agnes. The topic of this post - Happiness - was a suggestion I received from a reader of this blog. The song Happy by Pharrell Williams and this scene are perfect to trigger schemata. Thanks for the suggestion.

I. Talk to a partner:

1. What is happiness in your own words?

2. Tell each other five things that make you happy.

3. Tell each other three things that make you unhappy.

4. Many people say that no one is really happy. They claim that people have moments of happiness in their lives, but that no one is really happy. What do you think about this idea?

According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, here is the definition of happiness:a state of well-being and contentmenta pleasurable or satisfying experience 5. Did you define happiness (Ex: 1) the same way as the dictionary did? How different or similar are yours and the dictionary's definition?

6. Read some other people's definition of happiness. Then decide if you agree with them and why (not).

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.Ayn Rand

Happiness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think.Wayne Dyer

Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation.William H. Sheldon

Happiness is not a reward – it is a consequence.Robert Ingersoll

Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.George Sheehan

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.Aristotle

Happiness is not something you experience, it’s something you remember.Oscar Levant

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.Margaret Lee Runbeck

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.Denis Waitley

II. Watch the movie segment and answer the questions:

1. Why was Gru so happy?

2. What are some of the things that make him happy?

3. How does his happiness affect the people around him?

4. Was he truly happy or was it just pleasure? Or both? Or neither?

5. Agnes asked Gru what he could do to help himself. What should he do?

6. Have you ever felt like Gru? Talk about it.

7. What are some of the things that make both Gru and yourself happy?

8. How can people look for happiness? What do you do to be happy?

III. Sing the movie's song:

It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Saturday, May 10, 2014

I love Woody Allen and this movie is one of his best. The actors are superb and the story is a mixture of funny and dramatic situations. It's a must for Woody Allen's fans.

I. Discuss the questions below with a partner.

1. What is financial literacy, in your opinion.
2. How can financial literacy benefit consumers of all ages?
3. How informed are people about financial literacy?
4. How does your level of financial literacy affect your quality of life?

Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how
someone makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one
donates to charity) to help others.

In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand how
money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping – by
investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To understand
money and how it works, it’s important to understand common financial literacy
principles such as; financial goals, budgeting, investments, superannuation,
contracts and employment models.

Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown that
most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the concept of
compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out financial
information before making financial decisions. Most financial consumers lack
the ability to choose and manage a credit card efficiently, and lack of
financial literacy education is responsible for lack of money management skills
and financial planning for business and retirement.

Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing for
retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on financial risks
without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a large proportion of the
population because of financial illiteracy. Youth on average are less
financially capable than their elders.

Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income levels.
For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can provide basic tools
for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt can be kept controlled.
Financial education can help families acquire the discipline to save for their
own home and/or for their children’s education. It can help older workers
ensure that they have enough savings for a comfortable retirement by providing
them with the information and skills to make wise investment choices with their
individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help low-income
people make the most of what they are able to save and help them avoid the high
cost charged for financial transactions by non-financial institutions.

Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life
significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and family, your
attitude to money and investment, as well as your contribution to your
community. Financial literacy enables people to understand what is needed to
achieve a lifestyle that is financially balanced, sustainable, ethical and
responsible. It also helps entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for
business to generate sales and profits.III. Watch the segment from the movie Blue Jasmine and discuss the questions in small groups.

1. How financially literate is Jasmine? Explain it.2. What about her ex-husband?3. How did the way they dealt with their finances affect their lives? What advice would you give them both?4. How does Jasmine manage her finances now? Is she financially literate now? Justify it.5. How do you see yourself? Are you financially literate? Why (not)?6. How can you you improve your finances now?7. Do you take care of your future? Do you have retirement plans? Investments? Debts? Explain how you manage your financial life?

Financial
literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone
makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one
donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand
how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping –
by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To
understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common
financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting,
investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown
that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the
concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out
financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial
consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card
efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for
lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and
retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing
for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on
financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a
large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy.
Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income
levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can
provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt
can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire
the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s
education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough
savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the
information and skills to make wise investment choices with their
individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help
low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help
them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by
non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life
significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and
family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your
contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to
understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially
balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps
entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate
sales and profits.
- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf

Financial
literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone
makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one
donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand
how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping –
by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To
understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common
financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting,
investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown
that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the
concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out
financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial
consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card
efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for
lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and
retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing
for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on
financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a
large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy.
Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income
levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can
provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt
can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire
the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s
education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough
savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the
information and skills to make wise investment choices with their
individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help
low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help
them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by
non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life
significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and
family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your
contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to
understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially
balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps
entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate
sales and profits.
- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf

Financial
literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone
makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one
donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand
how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping –
by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To
understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common
financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting,
investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown
that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the
concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out
financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial
consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card
efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for
lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and
retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing
for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on
financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a
large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy.
Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income
levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can
provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt
can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire
the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s
education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough
savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the
information and skills to make wise investment choices with their
individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help
low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help
them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by
non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life
significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and
family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your
contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to
understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially
balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps
entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate
sales and profits.

- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf

MY OTHER BLOG

Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals

About Me

I'm a teacher at Casa Thomas Jefferson, Brasilia, Brazil. I'm a Branch Coordinator and Teacher Trainer as well. I really like movies and seeing them with "different" eyes, trying to see how I can use them in my classroom. Recently, I have dedicated my ideas to grammar activities with movie segments because, apparently, teachers use movies for many purposes, but grammar. Working with movie segments fosters students' production and interest. I truly believe that grammar exercises should be attractive. I have just developed a new blog for movie segments to enhance topic based classes, focusing on conversation, listening comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. If you have suggestions for the blogs and the activities, just say it!

Casa Thomas Jefferson

O Inglês Como Deve Ser

Welcome

The main purpose of this blog is to share activities to enhance the teacher's lesson plan. They will not replace the course book, but they will make the lessons more attractive and richer. Share your warm-up activity with movie segments too. You may email it to me at claudioazevedo@thomas.org.br and the activity will be credited to you with a link to your own site if it's the case. Give me suggestions for topics and segments too, please. Isn't sharing just fantastic?